and the monument consequently remains unfinished. It cannot fail to be lamented, not only by all Scotsmen, but by every man of taste, that this attempt to restore one of the "glories of the antique world," upon a site worthy of its fame, should thus be defeated by the want of funds. So far as the building has proceeded, the workmanship is masterly, affording a very fine example of Edinburgh masonry. The view with which our text is illustrated represents the existing condition of this modern ruin.

On the southern slope of the hill, overlooking the buildings of the Old Town,

THE HIGH SCHOOL

occupies a site worthy of its architectural beauty. The business of the school is conducted by a Rector, four Classical Masters, Teachers of French and German, of Writing, Arithmetic, and Mathematics, and of Fencing and Gymnastics. Of these the first five have a small endowment from the city, in addition to the Class-fees. Although essentially a classical seminary, due consideration is given to those collateral branches of learning which form a necessary part of a liberal education. The extent of the building affords ample accommodation for conducting the business of instruction upon the most approved principles; and the play-ground, extending to nearly two acres, commands a fine prospect of the Old Town, Arthur's Seat, and the adjacent country.* Opposite

* In 1823, the increasing population of the city appeared to demand the institution of another seminary for the same branches of learning as the High School. THE NEW ACADEMY was

the High School, close upon the road side, stands BURNS'S MONUMENT. The statue of the Poet by Flaxman, which for some time adorned the interior, has now been placed in the University Library.

From this point a descent may be made by a footpath to the North Back of the Canongate, at the lower end of which the stranger will reach

HOLYROOD PALACE.

This ancient residence of Scottish Royalty is a handsome building of a quadrangular form, with a central court ninety-four feet square. Its front is flanked with double castellated towers, imparting to the building that military character which the events of Scottish History have so often proved to have been requisite in her Royal residences.

accordingly then founded in the northern suburbs of the city by an influential body of the inhabitants, and its situation renders it more convenient for those residing in that neighbourhood. In both institutions the instruction of the pupils is conducted with the utmost zeal and success, many of them, after completing their curriculum of study, carrying off the highest honours in the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Still more recently has been instituted THE SOUTHERN ACADEMY, for the convenience of the inhabitants of that quarter of the city. Here also the instruction of the pupils is most judiciously superintended. To the admirable mental culture these institutions afford may principally be imputed the advanced intelligence which distinguishes the great body of the inhabitants of the Scottish Metropolis, a large proportion of the children of the higher and middle classes receiving their education in one or other of these seminaries. Besides the public Institutions, there are many admirably conducted private schools. Those interested in the instruction of the humbler ranks would do well to visit Dr. BELL'S SCHOOL in Niddry Street, or any of the Heriot Schools, where a very large number of children of both sexes receive the benefit of a useful education.

The

The changes which from time to time the edifice has undergone render it a matter of difficulty to affix a precise date to any part of it. The towers of the north-west corner, built by James V., are understood to be the most ancient portion of the present building. In 1822, previous to the visit of George IV., some improvements were made in its internal accommodation, and it has since undergone further repairs, to fit it for the reception of Her present Majesty. The most interesting relic is the BED OF QUEEN MARY, which remains in the same state as when last occupied by that unhappy Princess. CLOSET, where the murderers of Rizzio surprised their victim, is also an object of interest to visiters. This bloody tragedy was acted on the 9th of March 1566. "The Queen was seated at supper in a small cabinet adjoining to her bedroom, with the Countess of Argyle, Rizzio, and one or two other persons. Darnley suddenly entered the apartment, and, without addressing or saluting the company, gazed on Rizzio with a sullen and vindictive look; after him followed Lord Ruthven, pale and ghastly, having risen from a bed of long sickness to be chief actor in this savage deed; other armed men appeared behind. Ruthven called upon Rizzio to come forth from a place which he was unworthy to hold. The miserable Italian, perceiving he was the destined victim of this violent intrusion, started up, and seizing the Queen by the skirts of her gown, implored her protection. Mary was speedily forced by the King from his hold. George Douglas, a bastard of the Angus family, snatched the King's own dag

ger from his side, and struck Rizzio a blow; he was then dragged into the outer apartment, and slain with fifty-six wounds. The Queen exhausted herself in prayers and entreaties for the wretched man's life; but when she was at length told that her servant was slain, she said, 'I will then dry my tears, and study revenge.' During the perpetration of this murder, Morton, the chancellor of the kingdom, whose duty it was to enforce the laws of the realm, kept the doors of the Palace with 160 armed men, to ensure the perpetration of the murder."

Stains are still shown at the door of the apartment, said to be produced by the blood of the murdered man. The largest apartment in the Palace

* SCOTT's Scotland, vol. ii. p. 105.

† A pleasant story, suggested by these reputed bloodmarks, occurs in the introductory chapter to the Second Series of Chronicles of the Canongate. Our readers, we are assured, will thank us for enlivening our narrative by here introducing it.

"My long habitation in the neighbourhood," says Mr. Chrystal Croftangry," and the quiet respectability of my habits, have given me a sort of intimacy with good Mrs. Policy, the housekeeper in that most interesting part of the old building, called Queen Mary's Apartments. But a circumstance which lately happened has conferred upon me greater privileges; so that, indeed, I might, I believe, venture on the exploit of Chatelet, who was executed for being found secreted at midnight in the very bed-chamber of Scotland's mistress.

"It chanced, that the good lady I have mentioned, was, in the discharge of her function, showing the apartments to a Cockney from London ;-not one of your quiet, dull, commonplace visiters, who gape, yawn, and listen with an acquiescent umph, to the information doled out by the provincial cicerone. No such thing-this was the brisk alert agent of a great house in the city, who missed no opportunity of doing business, as he termed it— that is, of putting off the goods of his employers, and improving his own account of commission. He had fidgeted through the